German Car Scene

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  • DTM: one-two for Audi in Moscow

    2013 DTM Moscow
    Audi took control of Russia’s maiden DTM race with Mike Rockenfeller and Mattias Ekstrom coming home first and second place at Moscow Raceway.

    Rockenfeller dominated the race before coming in to change from option to standard tyres on lap 44, at which point Ekstrom took the lead and was looking good for the victory until his pace started to dip during the closing stages leaving Rockenfeller to take advantage of the situation. The third step of the podium was occupied by BMW’s Augusto Farfus, spoiling Audi’s chances of a clean sweep when he narrowly pipped Adrien Tambay, who started from twelfth on the grid and also recorded the fastest lap of the race. Britain’s Gary Paffett rounded out the top five giving Mercedes its best result of the weekend.

    Rockenfeller now enjoys a 27 point lead in the championship over his main title rival Bruno Spengler, who had been running in eighth place when he collided with Audi’s Miguel Molina on lap 4. Molina retired while Spengler slipped down the field eventually finishing a miserable 19th.

    “Obviously, this was a really big step in the Championship today. It’s great having won here at the DTM’s premiere in Russia. It was a similarly perfect race as at Brands Hatch: starting from the pole position and finishing in first place. My Audi RS 5 DTM was fantastic and Team Phoenix did a superb job,” said a jubilant Rockenfeller.
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  • Volkswagen’s Ogier wins Rally Finland

    2013 Rally Finland
    Volkswagen’s Sebastien Ogier secured his twelfth career victory today in Finland, tightening his grip on the FIA World Rally Championship with a 90 point cushion between himself and team-mate Jari-Matti Latvala.

    Ogier, only the fifth non-Nordic driver to win here, controlled the rally from Friday afternoon eventually finishing with a lead of 36.6 seconds, ahead of the battling Ford duo of Thierry Neuville and Mads Ostberg. The Frenchman also picked up two bonus points on today’s power stage.

    Andreas Mikkelsen, at the wheel of the #9 Polo R WRC, managed to finish tenth despite his car suffering a fault on Friday, while Latvala in the #7 Polo damaged his suspension on the second stage and could only manage 17th on the event with the consolation of a power stage point for his efforts.

    “I had a dream about winning here. A lot of points for the championship and victory in Finland make it a perfect weekend. We pushed when we had to and backed off when necessary to save the tyres and the car,” said an ecstatic Ogier.
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  • Magnus Walker samples the Porsche 911 Carrera 4S

    Justin and Magnus
    This new video from Motor Trend sees Justin head to Willow Springs Raceway to compare the Porsche 991 Carrera 4S with an example from 1971 for the latest episode of its World’s Fastest Car Show series. It’s not just any old 911, but Magnus Walker’s unique example that featured in the Urban Outlaw film.

    While Magnus’ machine is powered by a relatively moderate 2.6-litre engine fed by 40 IDA Weber carburettors, the 991 features a 3.8-litre unit with direct injection that develops 294 kW (400 hp) and 440 Nm of torque.

    The video ends with Magnus giving his verdict on the current car and how he would modify it if he owned one. The way that Porsche churns out special versions we wouldn’t bet against a Walker Edition appearing at some point.
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  • More powerful Audi A3 TDI announced

    Audi A3 TDI
    Audi UK has updated the engine and equipment choices for its A3 hatchback and Sportback models, with the Saloon following later.

    As well as the 2.0 TDI developing 110 kW (150 hp) and 320 Nm of torque, customers can now specify a spicier version producing 135 kW (184 hp) and 380 Nm in cars with the Sport and S line equipment levels. Available in front-wheel-drive and quattro all-wheel-drive formats, the six-speed manual A3 can hit 100 km/h in 7.3 seconds and reach a top speed of 234 km/h (145 mph), while combined fuel consumption works out at an impressive 4.1l/100 km (68.9 mpg) with CO2 emissions of 108g/km. Pricing ranges from £24,375 to £30,055.

    Audi is also offering an LED light package for the SE and Sport models, which consists of headlamps, rear lights, light and rain sensors and LED ambient interior lighting. Priced at £2,000, they can be added to S line and S3 models as a stand-alone option for £795.

    Finally the £395 black styling package available for Sport and S line A3 models, along with the S3, includes a high gloss black radiator grille surround with matte black grille section, side air intake grilles and a platinum grey diffuser.
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  • Porsche 911 GT3 launch control

    Porsche 911 GT3
    While reviewing the sublime Porsche 991 GT3, Autoblog also recorded a video demonstrating the car’s launch control system.

    The hardcore 350 kW (475 hp) track weapon cracks 100 km/h in a mere 3.5 seconds, 200 km/h in less than 12 seconds, and hits a top speed of 315 km/h (195 mph). As you’ll see, the launch control does a pretty amazing job of transferring that power through the rear wheels – onto a wet surface.
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  • Dynamo vs David Coulthard

    Dynamo
    Here’s a new video from Mercedes-Benz featuring the British magician Dynamo, former F1 driver David Coulthard, an SL 63 AMG and a blindfold. No, it’s not that type of film.

    The action begins with Coulthard piloting the 415 kW (564 hp) Roadster around a small course, followed by Dynamo, who attempts the same feat – without the use of his eyes. Apparently.
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